News & Events

DRAKE STATE HAS OUTSTANDING SACSCOC REAFFIRMATION VISIT

10/12/2016

J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College was awarded initial accreditation and became a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in 2012. In September 2016, the College prepared for reaffirmation of accreditation five years following initial accreditation by submitting a Compliance Certification to the Commission in 2016. The Compliance Certification consists of demonstrating evidence of compliance to more than 89 areas related to the Commission’s Core Requirements, Comprehensive Standards, and Federal Requirements as published in the SACSCOC Principles of Accreditation.

Reaffirmation of accreditation is a peer-reviewed process, and consists of an off-site review of the college’s compliance certification followed by an on-site visit. The on-site reaffirmation visit represents a culmination of a campus-wide effort to ensure that the College maintains a high level of integrity in fulfilling its mission.

Crystal Brown, Vice-President of Business & Investor Development at Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, is one of the members of the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Community College System. Ms. Brown was actively engaged in the on-site visit preparation with Drake State. She said, in a letter to Dr. Kemba Chambers, Interim President of Drake State, that not only was she honored to represent the ACCS Board of Trustees, she “saw widespread enthusiasm throughout the faculty and staff as well as the students (she) spoke with.” She continued, “I know that you all will join me in celebrating Dr. Chambers and her team for their commitment to excellence.”

The report of the on-site committee will be submitted to the SACSCOC Board of Trustees. The Commission’s Board of Trustees will make the final decision regarding Drake State’s reaffirmation of accreditation in its meeting in June 2017. The College will be launching its Quality Enhancement Plan, “Mind Over Math,” in January 2017. The Quality Enhancement Plan, according to SACSCOC, “is a carefully designed and focused course of action that addresses a well-defined issue directly related to enhancing student learning.”

Mind Over Math involves using the innovative Math Emporium model and Growth Mindset strategies to improve students’ mathematical skills and reduce math anxiety. The College has piloted the project during the past year and has seen many positive results.

Students who test below college level in math generally have to complete up to two developmental math courses before being able to take college-level math. With the Emporium model, it is possible for students to complete both developmental math courses and a college-level math course in a single term.